Today's bank holiday is the start of a long and sunny weekend for all those taking tomorrow as a day off as well. But those who are not religious may not realise that Ascension, sometimes called Holy Thursday, marks the day that Christians believe Jesus' body ascended into heaven.
The public holiday always falls on a Thursday (9 May this year) – exactly 39 days after Jesus' resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday, and ten days before Pentecost or Whit Sun (which falls on 19 May this year).
The celebration is part of the 50-day Easter cycle, in which Ascension Day counts as the 40th day and Pentecost as the 50th and final day. As these days are determined on the basis of the lunar calendar, they fall on different dates each year.
Several traditional events take place in Belgium to mark the occasion, including the annual procession of the Holy Blood in the Flemish city of Bruges when the relic of the Holy Blood is carried through the city centre. Since 2009, this event has been inscribed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural World Heritage Sites.
Annual procession of the Holy Blood in Bruges. Credit: Belga / Kurt Desplenter
On Ascension weekend, the 100 km of Ypres, an international three-day hike – also known as the 'In Flanders Fields March' – is also held in and around the West-Flemish city every year.
Europe Day
In addition to Ascension Day, Thursday 9 May also marks Europe Day this year: the annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe.
The date commemorates the anniversary of the historic Schuman Declaration, in which former European Parliament President Robert Schuman called for a new form of political cooperation in Europe that would make war between European nations unthinkable. Schuman's proposal is seen as the initial impetus for what would later become the European Union.
Like every year, the Liaison Office of the European Parliament is inviting citizens to celebrate Europe in Brussels. Place Agora will host a number of free activities for the general public from 14:00 to 17:00 on Thursday.
A giant European flag pictured in Brussels on 30 April 2004. Credit: Yves Boucau / Belga
Many important buildings and monuments in Europe – including the City Hall of Brussels on the Grand Place – will be lit up in the colours of the EU. With these lights in cities across Europe, the European Parliament along with national and local authorities are working together to inform 440 million European citizens about the importance of the European elections next month.
"9 May, Europe Day, is not only a day of remembrance, but also a day to reflect on this shared future. The approaching elections make this occasion more important than ever," they said.
What's open today?
As with other public holidays in the country, public and administration services will not operate on Ascension Day; neither will banks. Postal services will also be shut for the day, meaning that there will be no delivery of letters, packages or newspapers. However, some postal points within local convenience stores may still be accessible.
Belgium's national railway service SNCB, bus services De Lijn and TEC and Brussels public transport company STIB will continue to operate on Wednesday, but at a reduced Sunday service schedule.
As for groceries, the vast majority of supermarkets across the country – Aldi, Colruyt, Cora, Lidl, Makro and Okay – are closed today. However, most Carrefour and Delhaize supermarkets will remain open, as will some Intermarché and Spar shops, albeit with adjusted hours.
Many shopping malls and retail shops across the country, such as City 2 and Docks Bruxsel, will remain closed, as will most other stores, such as those on Rue Neuve in Brussels. Independent clothing stores may remain open, but this may vary according to location.
The Atomium. Credit: Brussels City
Most pharmacies will remain closed, but for urgent needs and medication, people can contact the pharmacist-on-duty in their municipality. The nearest on-duty pharmacy can be found here.
For those looking to use their day off work for a cultural activity, the Atomium and the Mini-Europe theme park are both open on Ascension Day, but the majority of public museums in the city will also close for the day. Still, some of the privately-owned ones, such as the Van Buuren museum near Uccle, will welcome art-deco lovers, who will be able to enjoy a visit to the property's gardens.
Police services remain accessible at all times, even on public holidays, though district offices are closed, meaning they are not available for administrative matters. Those needing urgent police assistance should call the emergency number 112.
